In the strange lexicon that is Christian!speak, one of the phrases we like to use is "doing the work of God." It usually carries with it the pride and self-satisfaction of the one who speaks it. Here are some examples, on different levels:
Jane: Cheryl, you sang beautifully up there.
Cheryl: Oh, I'm just doing the work of God.
Mr. Jeffers: Sometimes, isn't your life stressful?
Pastor Gary: I suppose so, but it's worth the sacrifice for doing the work of God.
Newspaper: An ex-cop finds value in doing the work of God in inner cities
and, in some psychological thriller movies:
Serial Killer: I'm sorry, mister, but I have to do this. This is the work of God.
[shortly thereafter, "mister" dies]
Needless to say, we hear the term alot in both Flannery O'Connor novels and churches south of the Mason-Dixon Line. But what is the work of God, anyway? Is it really as ambiguous as we make it? Is it reserved for those in full-time ministry, or can a lay-person do it?
I'm still waist-deep in the fourth gospel, and that's where I get today's lesson from Scripture just for me, and consequently, for you as well.
Jesus said, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent." (Jn. 6:29)
It's amazing how we complicate things. According to Christ, doing the work of God is believing in the One whom He sent. You'd think we'd be able to focus more on than than our programs, ministries, whathaveyou.
Paul got this concept, and in 1 Thess. 1:2-5, "We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers; constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father, knowing, brethren beloved by God, His choice of you for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake."
Notice here the focus isn't on random tasks they're doing, but it's on salvation itself--"the work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ..." Who would have thought that if we focus on our salvation, we'll be doing the work of God. If we wrestle with it, meditate on it, we'll see fruit.
That's the random thought for tonight. One of many, rest assured.
